For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 16, 2005
National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2005
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
In every generation, members of our Armed Forces have answered the call of
service in our Nation's hour of need. These patriots have defended our
freedom and way of life, triumphed over brutal enemies, and answered the
prayers of millions. On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we honor the
Americans who have been prisoners of war and recognize them for enduring
unimaginable hardships while serving in military conflicts around the
globe. We also remember those who are still missing in action, and we
renew our commitment to keep searching until we have accounted for every
Soldier, Sailor, Airman, and Marine missing in the line of duty.
On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, the flag of the National League of
Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia is flown over
the White House, the Capitol, the Departments of State, Defense, and
Veterans Affairs, the Selective Service System Headquarters, the National
Vietnam Veterans and Korean War Veterans Memorials, U.S. Military
Installations, national cemeteries, and other locations across our country.
The flag is a reminder of our continued commitment to those brave patriots
imprisoned while serving in conflicts around the world and of our pledge to
continue to achieve the fullest possible accounting for all our men and
women in uniform who are still missing. Americans are blessed with the
freedom made possible by the service and sacrifice of so many. On
National POW/MIA Recognition Day, our entire Nation honors and pays special
tribute to our prisoners of war and those who remain missing.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Friday, September 16, 2005,
as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. I call upon the people of the United
States to join me in saluting all American POWs and those missing in action
who valiantly served our country. I call upon Federal, State, and local
government officials and private organizations to observe this day with
appropriate ceremonies and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of
September, in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtieth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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